How to Keep Your Book Club Thriving in the Pandemic
One of the few perks of Covid is that people are reading more. Many book clubs, however, are suffering. Social distancing makes it difficult to meet up with a like-minded group of bibliophiles. So how do we make sure our book clubs don't become another casualty of the pandemic?
Go Digital
There are numerous platforms you can make use of to keep your book club members in touch. Voice/video meetings, can be held on Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime, to name but a few. At first, the experience will lack the spontaneity of your regular meetings. Everyone has to get used the pauses, accidentally speaking over one another, etc. On the plus side, digital meetings are more likely to stay on topic. There is less chance of discussions wandering off the book altogether.
If video calls aren't for you, then try communicating through the written word. Book club discussion threads can be set up on a range of messaging services such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If this all sounds like hard work, there are also platforms dedicated to organising online book clubs. Bookclubz.com and Goodreads are two of the best. These sites do the heavy lifting for you. Visitors can set up their own online book club or join an existing one.
Hook up with a Book Buddy
Online meetings aren't for everyone. If you've tried them and still feel they lack that certain something, then consider a book club for two. Your book buddy could be a friend, relative, or someone in your household.
My book club buddy is my mum. Thanks to Covid, the last time I saw her in person was March 2020. Since we've become book buddies, our regular phone conversations have taken on a new energy. As well as bringing us closer, discussing books provides a guaranteed source of conservation when neither of us has anything interesting to say. Thomas Cromwell is our current hot topic as we're working our way through Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light For at least a couple of hours a week, we immerse ourselves in the world of Henry VIII and his court.
Vive la Book Clubs!
Book clubs are needed now more than ever. They may not have the power to slay the virus, but they can help us briefly transcend it. Reading groups offer escapism, mental stimulation and, most importantly, the social contact that we crave. Defy the pandemic and keep those book discussions going.
Go Digital
There are numerous platforms you can make use of to keep your book club members in touch. Voice/video meetings, can be held on Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime, to name but a few. At first, the experience will lack the spontaneity of your regular meetings. Everyone has to get used the pauses, accidentally speaking over one another, etc. On the plus side, digital meetings are more likely to stay on topic. There is less chance of discussions wandering off the book altogether.
If video calls aren't for you, then try communicating through the written word. Book club discussion threads can be set up on a range of messaging services such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If this all sounds like hard work, there are also platforms dedicated to organising online book clubs. Bookclubz.com and Goodreads are two of the best. These sites do the heavy lifting for you. Visitors can set up their own online book club or join an existing one.
Hook up with a Book Buddy
Online meetings aren't for everyone. If you've tried them and still feel they lack that certain something, then consider a book club for two. Your book buddy could be a friend, relative, or someone in your household.
My book club buddy is my mum. Thanks to Covid, the last time I saw her in person was March 2020. Since we've become book buddies, our regular phone conversations have taken on a new energy. As well as bringing us closer, discussing books provides a guaranteed source of conservation when neither of us has anything interesting to say. Thomas Cromwell is our current hot topic as we're working our way through Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light For at least a couple of hours a week, we immerse ourselves in the world of Henry VIII and his court.
Vive la Book Clubs!
Book clubs are needed now more than ever. They may not have the power to slay the virus, but they can help us briefly transcend it. Reading groups offer escapism, mental stimulation and, most importantly, the social contact that we crave. Defy the pandemic and keep those book discussions going.
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message 1:
by
Marcia
(new)
Jan 08, 2021 05:25AM
Our book club, The Circle of Friends Book Club have missed a couple of meetings but this past Tuesday night we did a virtual thing. It worked well for us but I and I believe I speak for all of us in that we miss seeing each other in person and the camaraderie of the group is missing somewhat. But we will do this when we have to and our in person get togethers will be all the sweeter!
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Hi Marcia,It's great to hear that you and your group are making it work. You're absolutely right. We will appreciate our 'in-person' meetings all the more once we can return to normality.
